Islamabad: The Pakistan government on Wednesday formally demanded that the Mehsud tribe in Waziristan region hand over 378 wanted tribesmen, including Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud.
The list of wanted tribesmen was handed over to elders of the Mehsud tribe at a jirga convened by Political Agent Syed Shahab Ali Shah in Wana, the main town of South Waziristan Agency.
Shah told the elders that the government s writ will be maintained at any cost and nobody will be allowed to establish a parallel government in South Waziristan.
There is a total ban on the display of weapons of prohibited calibre in the region, he told the elders.
Soldiers backed by artillery and tanks have killed over 600 militants since an operation was launched against the Taliban in South Waziristan in October.
Troops captured several militant strongholds, including Hakimullah Mehsud's hometown, in the early stages of the operation though he continues to be at large.
Shah said the operation in Waziristan was launched to flush out militants and it had become inevitable for maintaining peace and harmony in the area.
The administration will keep a close eye on activities of tribal elders to assess their role with regard to the government's demand for handing over the wanted tribesmen.
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